The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-12
THE KERMIs.
A Brilliant Festival and Novel specta.
Gle at City Hall.
Speeches by Governor RodwelI, Nav
or Chapman and Others.

speeches by Governor RodwelI, Nav
or chapman and Others.
Last evening the Kermis was opened at
City Hall in the presence of large and very
much pleased assemblage. The Kermis. as
is probably known, is supposed to be a
Dutch festival and the hall has been turned
into Dutch village in representation of
that event. Special scenery gives quaint
old gabled houses, with their broad window
seats and daintily curtained windows. in
place of the ordinary booths. A great wind
mill on the stage, moves its huge sails, typi-
cal OF the means by which Holland was re-
deemed from the sea. At one corner of the
hall stands the cosy Dutch tavern which
bears on its front the words, "Het Hof Van
Holland, Selrahac Renmus Notrab Ward"
AT another may be found the pagoda shaped
flower booth filled with the choicest flowers,
presided over by fair maidens, clad in fas-
cinating Dutch costumes. In still another
stands the old stone pump with its antique
carvings, Hooking as if it had been dug out of
some secluded spot in Rotterdam or Amster-
dam. There is Dutch kitchen where cof-
fee, pretzils and ice cream are served by
neat Holland women, whose wooden shoes
make great ''clumping' as they move
hither and thither. A small table near the
door bears Dutch groceries in the shape of
huge pumpkins, punches of celery and other
provisions. AT the rear of the hall, under
the gallery, beautiful parlor has been ar
ranged, whose rich warm draperies, and ele-
CANT furniture, formed pleasant spot from
which the ladies and gentlemen, guests of
the managers of the Kermis, could listen to
the speaking and music. The front of the
stage was prettily decorated with flags.
plants. trailing vines and autumn leaves,
while the houses were decorated with the
Dutch colors. The booths were filled with
all manner of useful and ornamental work,
offered for sale, and spread on the counter
before them. A very pretty effect was pro-
duced by the appearance at the windows of
the booths of the fair faces of the sales
women, whose heads were covered with lace
addresses All labout the hall moved
the younger members of the society attired
in odd costumes of all colors.
The Haverhill Band, which accompanied
the visiting Odd Fellows to Portland, had
kindly volunteered, through Eagle Encamp-
ment to play several selections, and the offer
had been gladly accepted. AT s p. M they
played their opening number, in excellent
style, and few moments after Rev.
Marion Crosley pastor Of the Church of the
Messlah-the society giving the Kermiss-
entered the hall accompanied by Gov. Bod
well and his daughter Mrs. Paine, Mayor
Chapman and Mrs. Chapman, Hon. Albion
Little, Mrs and Miss Little, the band play
ing ''HaiI to the Chief" The ladies were
escorted to the special parlor, while the gen.
tlemen followed by other prominent citizens,
took seats on the platform. Shlw's Quartette.
assisted by Miss Greedy and Mrs Moves.
then sang, ROW Boatman row. so well that
an encore was demanded. Rev. Mr. Crosley
then said
Ladies and Gentlemen:-T ladies of the
Church of the Messiah have been at work.
for weeks, months, yes whole year, pre-
pairing LOT the event you witness Tonight
The kermis is a,wood of Flemish origin. and
means festival, held annually, at which the
people OF the surrounding villages meet and
have a good time Our Kermis will last
three days, and the proceeds will be devoted
10 tightening our church debt. His Excel
lency, the Governor, His Honor the Mayor
and other distinguished citizens have been
invited to attend the opening exercises and
now Mr. Mayor, commit to your; hands
the carrying out of the evenings programme.
Mayor Chapman was greeted with loud ap-
plause. He said:
Ladies and GentlemeR:-It is with charac-
terlstIc enterprise and efficiency that the
ladies of the Church of the Messiah have
imported the novel entertainment, the Ker-
mis-. 1t is needless to say this enterprise of
theirs appeals to the sympathy of all our citi-
Zens. Foremost of all those present to-
night is the honored chief magistrate of the
State, gentleman whose generous heart
never ialls 10 respond TO every generous UNI
dertaking. Ihase the pleasure to introduce
Gov Bodwell.
Upon coming forward Gov Bodwell was
greeted with long continued applause. he
said
Mr.. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen
thank you for your cordial greeting. II
is very gratifying to me and | only wish |
could respond in manner equally gratifying
to you, but l have come unprepared, not ex-
pectlng TO make speech, and the question is,
what shall L talk of. You cannot expect me
to speak on religion when there are so MANY
prominent clergymen present, or on politics.
for that would be unbecoming here. NV
views on temperance you already know
about l can, therefore,. only congratulate
the society on the beautiful decorations of
their hall, and hope you have come pre-
pared to enjoy yourselves, and with pockets
well lined with money so as to carry home
things gratifying to you. | read with inter-
est that brief speeches were to be made on
this occasion. | don't wish to be outdone in
brevity and won't detain you from listen
ing to others better prepared than myself.
Mr.. Blanchard was next introduced by the
chairman. Mr.. Blanchard said: 81 shall have
TO let you into secret, and that is that my
name IS not on the programme. did not
know that was expected to speak, and did
not, therefore, prepare a speech. But since
have been called upon / will speak of nv
church" Mr.. Blanchard then spoke of the
friendly relations of the Congress Square
church with the Church of the Messiah and
the other churches of the city. and spoke
briefly of the American Board at Springfield,
which will be the subject of his sermon next
Sunday. Finally the speaker said: II con-
graduate the ladies upon the success of their
efforts and hard work, and sincerely wish
the .Kermis success. believe their is an old
saying, something like this, that beats the
Dutch III there is such saying, and be-
iieye there Is, | think that it may be said of
the ladies of the Church of the Messiah. that
their intentions are to beat the Dutch'b
The chairman, Mayor Chapman, then said
The pleasant duty now awaits me to de-
clare the kermis open, which now do, wish
ing IL great success. The next will be a
recitation by Miss Nettie A. Webb, after
which the Governor will hold reception in
the back of the hall, where all are invited to
take him by the hand"
The audience then were introduced to the
Governor, the band played, and general
good time was enjoyed.
Tonight there will be living pictures of
Dutch life and Dutch and Hungarian dances